Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-05-05

in Harper's War Volumes.
Along the lakes western bank the
road wound in front of most delightful
homes, while its eastern shore was over
hung by noble forest trees, and these had
long festoons of moss hanging gracefully
from their boughs. Many flowers, shrubs
and trees were seen with which Northern
eyes were unfamiliar; these gave the re-
gion half tropical appearance. In this
delightful spot, with the air soft,
balmy and filed with the fragrance Of
flowers, birds singing, and so much to
please the senses, the writer thought he
never had looked upon so much Of bloom
ing, sunny. delicious, glorious nature
1t was, indeed, q perfect specimen OF the
Sunny South
A real little paradise, and as such was no
doubt regarded by its wealthy residents,
who only few weeks before felt as secure
from invasion as the residents of the
North
The region being in a great degree $50
lated, in low level section of country that
had to be protected from overflow by
levees was, particularly in season re-
markable for high water, deemed safe
from all invasion, if not indeed proof
against it.
otherwise, and now long and formidable
columns of energetic and hardy Northern
ers, were making their way through the
very heart of this enchanting country.
So impenetrable was the locality deemed
by the Confederates, that Pemberton, it
was said, to the last persisted in the belief
that the movement was not in force and
was only feint, and intended as diver
sion from a serious attack on Vicksburg
from some other quarter.
The Goth of April the Mississippi was
reached at Hard Times Landing nearly OPP
posite Grand Gulf. Just below the latter
place is De Shroon's plantation, and thith-
er the column marched after short stop
at Hard Times The line led in sight OF
Grand Gulf, into which our gunbOats were
seen throwing shells; the firing was very
deliberate, and at the time was not re-
sponded to by the Confederates. The navy
however failed to reduce the works.
About 10000 troops belonging to the
Thirteenth Corps had gone aboard trans
ports at New Carthage, somo twenty or
thirty miles above A landing place for
these was sought above Grand Gulf, on the
Mississippi side, but none being found they
debarzed at Hard Times after night fall,
and quietly marched across the peninsula,
on the Louisiana shore, opposite the rebel
stronghold.
Meantime the navy engaged the Confed.
crate batteries, during which tho loaded
transports ran by. The writer's regiment
was encamped few miles below, and the
cannonading made terrific noise.
Whether it came from the heavy caliber OF
the guns engaged or from the peculiar
state of the atmosphere, the writer can
not say, but never did the terrific din Of
cannonading strike his ears with such
force Every shot, too, seemed to have a
peculiar ringing sound that was piercing
in its effo1,s upon the organs Of hearing
AS before stated, the writer's regiment en-
camped the night of the Goth OF April at
Shroon's plantation below Grand Gulf on
the river
Very early on the morningof April 80 the
gun-boats. and transports, both alive with
soldiers, were seen on the river
These moved over towards the Missis
sippi shore, and the writer remembers al
most shuddering with fear lest they would
be fired into from the adjoining hills. Tht
boats all moved down the river about siz
miles and landed at Bruinsburg
The hospital department did not e.
aboard boat till near nightfall, and, hav
ing been informed that all would remain
% boora night, thn y.ridto,, feelir &
much fatigued, with a companion stretched
himself upon two cotton bales lying side By
side and slept sweetly till early dawn
when it was found that the boat, having
dropped down the river during the night
was then tied UP at Bruinsburg.
Word was received to Join the regiment
at once, then in line upon the shore and
ready to march inland, where it was said g
battle was already in progress.